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Iowa football: Top five quarterbacks in Hawkeye’s history

By Justin Stallman

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 1: Drew Tate #5 of the Iowa Hawkeyes drops back to pass against the LSU Tigers during the Capital One Bowl at the Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2005 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Matt Stroshane/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 1: Drew Tate #5 of the Iowa Hawkeyes drops back to pass against the LSU Tigers during the Capital One Bowl at the Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2005 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Matt Stroshane/Getty Images) /
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Chuck Long #10, Quarterback for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes prepares to throw the ball during the NCAA Big-10 Conference college football game against the University of Michigan Wolverines on 19 October 1985 at the Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa, United States. The Iowa Hawkeyes won the game 12 – 10. (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images)
Chuck Long #10, Quarterback for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes prepares to throw the ball during the NCAA Big-10 Conference college football game against the University of Michigan Wolverines on 19 October 1985 at the Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa, United States. The Iowa Hawkeyes won the game 12 – 10. (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images) /

#1 – Chuck Long

Chuck Long, otherwise known as “Destined For Greatness”, as former Iowa football Head Coach Hayden Fry would put it.

There’s no doubt that Long is the best Iowa football quarterback ever.  He is the number one quarterback in Iowa football history, and it’s easy to see why. Just look at the stats.

Long started his great journey as a freshman where everyone knew right away he was going to put a dent in the record books, and he sure did.  He would go on to win two major college football awards and become the runner-up in the Heisman Trophy to Bo Jackson.

Player Stats

  • Played at Iowa from 1981 – 1985
  • Long threw for 1,374 yards and eight touchdowns his freshman year, third-most passing yardage in a single season at Iowa
  • 64.9% completion percentage – Iowa school record
  • Defeated Tennessee in the Peach Bowl – Long was MVP
  • Sophomore year Long led Iowa to a 9-2 record and a berth in the Gator Bowl and was named First Team All-Big Ten
  • All-Big Ten selection as a Junior, first in the Big Ten in passing efficiency
  • Finished seventh in Heisman Voting his Junior year
  • Long became the only player in College Football History to ever play in five bowl games after playing the 1986 Rose Bowl game

Accolades

  • Maxwell Award Winner (1985)
  • Davey O’Brien Award Winner (1985)
  • Big Ten Player of the Year (1985)
  • Consensus First Team All-American (1985)
  • Runner-Up Heisman Trophy behind Bo Jackson (1985)
    • Lost to Jackson by just 45 points in voting
  • Longs record at Iowa was 35-13-1
  • 9,671 passing yards and 70 TD’s

Although I chose five, I have to give out an honorable mention honor to current Iowa football player Nate Stanley. So far in two seasons, he’s done some amazing things for the Iowa football team.

This season will be his senior season and many fans are looking forward to seeing what Stanley can do for the Hawks this year.  He’s already passed for over 5000 yards and 52 TD’s and while posting a 135.5 QBR.

In two seasons, Stanley has compiled a 16-9 record as a Hawkeye and he has led the Iowa football to two bowl victories.  He’s got the talent and experience, now he needs to prove he can compete with the best in the nation. Can he lead Iowa to a New Years Six bowl?  Better yet, can Stanley get Iowa into the College Football Playoff?

Big Ten West preseason power rankings. dark. Next

Stay tuned folks, you’re in for a ride!

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